Page 57 of Reckless Rival

I’m standing right here, gals. Why do you even think he will dance with you?

She brought her attention back to him to respond to his taunting comment about her high heels. What he didn’t know was that she was a trained classical dancer, and the dance floor was her stomping ground. Something he did not know about her but will find out soon. “I’ll manage, especially when I have you as my dance partner.”

“I’ll be the perfect boyfriend and carry you back if you get too tired dancing or you fake another ankle sprain.” She knew he was rubbing insult into her fake injury in the cafeteria a few weeks back.

Thankfully, there was an announcement from the organizers followed by deafening applause as the event kicked off. She let out a low gasp that was lost in the cheers when he pulled her to him. “They said to grab their partners. Don’t give me that look, you’re my girlfriend.”

“Fake one,” she reminded as she batted her eyelids coyly.

Loud music started to play, the hip-hop beats starting to match the thudding that had started in her chest in response to his closeness. The chandeliers were dimmed, and she was glad her flushed face was going to be hidden as he got into her space.

What the heck was she thinking, agreeing to the dance, but she could not sit that one out. Instead, she threw her head back, her hair flowing down her back as she looked into his eyes. The masquerade mask covered half their faces, but she saw something new in his eyes.

Curious if it had anything to do with how closely they were swaying to the music, she ran her hand up his arm and wrapped it around his neck. She swore she felt him shudder in response, and she only wanted more validation.

She wound her other arm around his neck, interlocking her fingers in his thick dark hair on the back of his head and kept moving to the music. She was inches away from him, aware of the heat from his body driving her senses into overdrive.

Nami was so focused on reading his reaction she didn’t pay attention to how her heart had sped up, her breath was coming fast, and her skin was peppered with goosebumps. All her sensations were ignored as she focused on him, and what she saw made her smile, a wicked twist to one end.

He was affected by her. Let me get that kiss tonight and be done with him.

“Having fun yet?” She couldn’t help but instigate, and he still held his mystic expression hiding behind the mask.

He didn’t reply, but she could tell his eyes were on her lips, and, as if in response, they parted. She was surprised he still affected her while she tried hard to get him to let down his guard and kiss her like he had on their first date.

Her insides quivered at the memory. As if he knew what she was up to, he stepped back, breaking her hold on him, and he spun her around. The movement combined with the euphoria, she felt lightheaded and landed back in his arms, her cheek to his chest.

Rana wrapped his arms around her to hold her there as they continued to move to the music. For her, she was in heaven as her eyes rolled shut, and she felt the thudding in his chest against her cheek. Something about the way he held her, she wanted to be there—forever.

At that thought, she pulled back but did not look at him. His eyes were on her, and she didn’t need to look to know that. She leaned in closer, and she felt his hand on her waist and that’s when she looked up.

Electricity buzzed between them, and she felt the strong pull toward him. Her mind told her she was on a mission and that she was not to kiss him but be kissed. The rest of her didn’t care. Her body moved closer, molding itself to his, and that’s when she felt his shaft dig into her soft belly.

His gaze was intense and trained on her now trembling lips like they were begging to be kissed. When the act turned into a reality, she had no idea, but there was nothing fake about what she was feeling and knew he felt the same. He had to from the way he looked at her and held her to him.

A few seconds later, as she fought for air, she became aware of what she was feeling through the thin dress shirt he had on. When her hand made it so close and past his jacket, she didn’t know. All she could register was his flat and tight abdomen she had only seen before.

The very sensation warmed her inside and out, a weird need growing inside. The few minutes in his hold, she was transformed into a foreign zone where she lost all awareness of her surroundings.

The masculine cologne scent radiating from him and what she had in reach was all she could think about. She was barely breathing when he placed his hand on her cheek, ever so gently.

The moment was so intense, she knew she would have done anything he had asked or demanded. Her every sense was vested in him as he leaned in as if for a kiss.

A distant flash from a camera hit her eyes, and she stepped back. It made the bubble that was built around them crumble. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was sure he could hear the thumping. His chest was heaving just like hers, but as if nothing happened, he pulled her back into his arms and twirled her, putting on a show for the photographer.

Whatever that was, it was close. At that point, she was more worried about what sizzled between them moments ago than anything else.

Chapter 19

Nami was in the library when she saw Vasavi rush toward her trying hard not to disturb the students in the quiet zone. “Did you see the newsletter?”

Now what?

There was a time when every update included something about her and the rival but not in recent times. “I haven’t. Why?”

“Rana nailed it at the boxing championships. National Champion.” Vasavi held her phone up to her to show a picture of him in the ring, holding the championship belt.

Her heart jumped with joy at the mere sight of his image. She had barely seen him after the masquerade ball. Even when she went to the boxing arena, he was always in a practice match or in a meeting with the coaches. She had fallen out of the habit of taking him his protein shake, and he didn’t demand she show up either. It was for the best, however something felt off, but she ignored it completely.

---